No less than activist poet Ericson Acosta, who was recently released after almost two years of being detained for charges of illegal possession of explosives, will perform live at the launching of Kilometer 64 Poetry Collective’s chapbook “Seldang Maginaw” on Tuesday, February 12.

The event will serve as a victory party for families, friends, and supporters of Acosta whose case was dismissed for lack of evidence. “Seldang Maginaw” is a compilation of protest poems campaigning to free political prisoners and against state fascism. They were written by various artists including members of Morong 43 while inside the prison.

Fellow poet Axel Pinpin, himself a former political prisoner having been a part of Tagaytay 5, will also perform at the said event. He said, “This event is a clear indication that the members of Kilometer 64 have been steadfast in calling for the release of political prisoners. They already have proven their worth when they supported the campaign to release the Tagaytay 5, they have proven it again with EA.”

The fight is not yet over. As Acosta said immediately after his release, “Our campaign for human rights has for the past years attained worldwide reach. We are in a better position to push for the release of all political prisoners. Reflecting on my own experience, a crucial component of this campaign is our call to end the criminalization of political dissent, illegal arrest, and torture. Only then can we ensure that people like Maricon Montajes, Charity Dino, Alan Jazmines, Bart Alcantara, Eduardo Sarmiento, Randy Vegas, Raul Camposano, who have chosen to serve the people will not suffer further injustice.”

The launching will be held at the Conspiracy Bar, Visayas Avenue, Quezon City. Show starts around 6PM. For inquiries, send your message to kilometer64@gmail.com.